08/20, 10:50pm

Apps: OmniDiskSweeper, DV Backup, iRooster...

The freeware Pod2Go 0.5 can sync news, weather, movies, stocks, horoscopes, driving directions and other information with a simple mouse click. It adds an online help system, an improved interface, bug fixes, and updated info modules. [452KB]OmniDiskSweeper 1.4b2 ($15) is a beta version of the Mac OS X disk cleaning utility that can find and delete unwanted files. It includes improvements to the drive list, updated keyboard shortcuts, and improved stability. [915KB]
The Omni Group has released The Export to iPod add-on, which allows OmniOutliner users to view Outliner documents from an iPod, for quick note review on the go. It provides the ability to export OmniOutliner documents to first-, second-, and third-generation iPods using two different scripts. [468KB]
David Dahl's Audio Recording Database 1.0 is an application for making and cataloging recordings. It records audio from a microphone, sound card line in or a USB line-in. Users can track of what was recorded in ARDB's built in database ($40), or MySQL, with the multi-user version ($70). [Classic, OSX]DV Backup 1.1 ($30) for MacOS X 10.2 lets you backup computer files to a DV camcorder. It offers speeds up to 10GB storage per hour of tape, support for multiple tapes, incremental and/or compressed backups, table-of-contents listings, unattended scheduled backups, automatic camera control, and 8 levels of error protection/recovery. [466KB]
David Ahmed's $15 shareware Exhibition 2.1 includes six easy-to-navigate 3D environments to present and view most popular image formats. It adds pause & rotation sliders to the toolbar options and can now set the location of the iPhoto 2 folder. [1.2MB]iRooster 1.0 ($15) is a Mac OS X-only application that allows you to quickly and easily create alarms. It features a gorgeous Aqua user interface and iTunes integration;iRooster will play back your Library, smart playlists, and normal playlists. [727KB]Creative Manager Pro 5.7.5 adds better Mac OS X and Safari support as well as new digital asset management features to its business solution. The web-based integrated project management and job tracking software includes functions for new business, staffing, managing, and executing projects as well as accounting and financial reporting.

08/20, 10:25pm

Verbatim ships flash USB 2.0 mini storage

Verbatim today is shipping new Store 'n' Go USB 2.0 Drives: "About the size of a AA battery, the drives are flash memory-based removable storage devices that are instantly recognized when plugged in to the USB port of a desktop or notebook PC." The drives at support up to 8MB/sec read and 5MB/sec write performance on USB 2.0 systems. The Store 'n' Go USB Drive is immediately available in several capacities with prices ranging from $30 for 32MB to $350 for 1GB. Each includes a Carry Lanyard and USB Extension Cable.

08/20, 8:00pm

Koverz offers laptop screen protector

Koverz has unveiled a new PowerBook screen protector that helps to prevent marks or smudges on the screen, caused when it is contacted by the keyboard or wrist rest. The manufacturer points out that the $12 to $16 price of its screen protector is less than one percent of the overall cost of a PowerBook G4.

08/20, 7:20pm

Forbes looks at iPod, iTunes, AirPort Extreme

Charles Wolf, an analyst at Needham and Co., says that iPods could account for $274 million in revenue in fiscal 2003, or 5% of Apple's sales. The Forbes article also says that Apple, with a projected 2004 Estimated EPS of $0.35, is expected to achieve an annualized growth of 12% over the next 3-5 years. Forbes also has a review of AirPort Extreme: "Apple's Airport wireless networking is one of those things that seemed nice to have before we ever used it, but once we did we can't imagine how we ever lived without it."

08/20, 6:35pm

Synthetic Aperture ships Echo Fire 2.1.4

Synthetic Aperture today began shipping Echo Fire 2.1.4, an update to its video previewing toolkit for Adobe After Effects (AE) and Photoshop. The free update adds support for the AJA Io uncompressed audio/video FireWire capture device from AJA Video Systems, Inc. Echo Fire ($275) also provides previews of the Mac desktop including any graphics programs that may be running and images copied to the Mac OS X clipboard. It can also overlay its previews with a waveform monitor or vectorscope display, providing low-cost monitoring of video output.

08/20, 6:30pm

MacWireless offers AirPort antennas

MacWireless now offers a new line of antennas for the AirPort and AirPort Extreme base stations, including 8 different styles--either Omni or Directional--ranging from 3.5 dBi to as high as 14 dBi. Prices range from $80 to $150. In addition to our domestic version, MacWireless now offers the POE Extreme for its International customers, allowing users to mount an AirPort Extreme base station where there may be no electric power outlet--up to 100 meters away.

08/20, 5:20pm

Power Mac G5 delivery news

Readers on the MacNN Forums discuss the recent availability of Power Mac G5s in stores, as well as the shipment of customers' orders. A photograph has surfaced of one customer's single-processor Power Mac G5. Meanwhile, Apple on Wednesday unveiled in New Delhi its Power Mac G5. Today marks the debut of the G5 in India, while demo units should begin to appear in local Apple Centres in UK towards the end of this week. G5s should be available and in sufficient quantities in France between the end of this week and the beginning of the next week.

08/20, 3:55pm

MOTU, Digidesign post G5 compatibility notes

MOTU says that Digital Performer 4.1 ("available soon") will be required for G5 compatibility as well as MOTU FireWire OS X CoreAudio driver (Version 1.05) for its line of MOTU FireWire interfaces; however, the new G5 PCI bus architecture will render some PCI cards inoperable: "The G5 introduces significant enhancements to the PCI architecture, along with a required 3.3-volt card format. As a result, existing PCI-424 cards do not fit in the G5's new PCI slots." The company is offering a trade-in program for the new PCI-424/G5 card (due later this month), which works in both Power Mac G4s and Power Mac G5s. The new G5 architecture also renders several Digidesign PCI Cards inoperable (full notes on G5 compatibility due later this month).

08/20, 2:40pm

Apps: Studiometry, THPS4, Safari Exporter...

Revolution 2.1RC1 is a release candidate of the user-centric multi-platform development tool. It offers a more Mac OS X-like interface; support for MySQL, PostgreSQL, ODBC and Valentina in all editions, floating system palettes, and other improvements. It is 50% off through the end of the month. [Classic, OSX]
Oranged.net Software has released Studiometry 1.1, its $55 organizational tool for freelancers (featuring custom templates). Version 1.1 adds reporting for contracts, estimates, progress reports, tech reports, or any other type of paperwork. [Download - 3.7MB]Safari Bookmark Exporter is a simple utility designed to do "one thing only and do it well" -- export Safari bookmarks, exporting to OmniWeb, Camino/Chimera, Mozilla, Netscape, IE, iCab, Opera, and now Firebird.[Download - 147KB]
Aspyr has released a demo of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, the latest installment in the series of skateboarding simulation games. [Download - 94.2MB]Math Flash Card Master is a $5 shareware program that provides practice for and testing of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It can be adjusted to different knowledge levels, and includes optional sounds as well as a timer feature. [Download - Classic, OS X
Rage Software's WebDesign Plugin Maker 1.0b1 is an update to the visual development environment for creating and maintaining plug-ins compatible with its WebDesign web design software. WebDesign Plugin Maker is free to use for all users of WebDesign ($30). [Download - 1.0MB]
The Java-based technical support software, Web Help Desk 6.4, introduces iCal integration, saved queries for tickets and assets, improved search options for tickets and assets, enhanced PDF invoicing, expanded import options, a FAQ rating system, and a new HTML e-mail option. Pricing starts at $3,350.

08/20, 2:35pm

Logitech debuts 2 joysticks, new gamepad

Logitech launched a new lineup of gaming devices: the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick ($40) has 12 action buttons, a comfortable twist handle, and a rubberized 8-way hat switch and a high-precision throttle. The Logitech Attack 3 joystick ($25) features 11 programmable buttons, offers an ambidextrous handle, and a throttle control. Finally, the Logitech Dual Action Pad gamepad ($20) has a lightweight design that includes two rubber-capped analog joysticks, an 8-way D-pad, and four responsive triggers and six buttons. They are available in hte US, while European pricing and availability will be announced at a later date.

08/20, 2:25pm

DataIsland announces Abacus Authorize

DataIsland Software has announced Abacus Authorize, which uses Parallel Software's AuthPayX (FMP) FileMaker Plug-in for desktop credit Authorization under Mac OS X. Abacus Authorize offers a desktop solution for authorizing and capturing credit card transactions along with comprehensive contact management, invoicing and POS systems: "The AuthPayX FMP is ideally suited for network-based transactions, Point of Sale (POS), and other network and desktop applications using the FileMaker Pro database. For most versions, we feature an unlimited number of clients." The AuthPayX (FMP) client will ship by mid-September of 2003, while Abacus Authorize is due by the end of September.

08/20, 2:15pm

Mailsmith 2.01 adds SSL, free SpamSieve app

Bare Bones Software today released Mailsmith 2.0.1, a free update to it email client for the Macintosh. Version 2.0.1 adds SSL encryption support, support for use of the Apple Address Book in mail filter rules, and other bug fixes. With the release of Mailsmith 2.0.1, each new copy or upgrade of Mailsmith also includes a copy of SpamSieve, the client-side spam filtering software (with which Mailsmith features close integration). The $100 application runs on Mac OS X only; cross-upgrade pricing is $80.

08/20, 1:15pm

MCE debuts FireWire-based portable SuperDrive

MCE today announced the Lucid M2X portable FireWire DVD-MULTI Drive--a compact, bus-powered drive capable of writing to five different types of recordable media, including CD-R (16x), CD-RW (8x), DVD-R (2x), DVD-RW (1x) and DVD-RAM (2x) discs. DVD-MULTI technology allows a DVD-RAM disc up to 9.4GB in capacity to be inserted into the slot-loading Lucid M2X drive and be used as a virtual hard disk at the Mac OS desktop level, with data dynamically read and saved to the disc on-the-fly. It is expected to ship on August 21 for $390.

08/20, 1:15pm

Real launches developer program

Real Software today introduced the REALbasic Developer Program for REALbasic customers who rely on REALbasic for their business, including those who provide commercial software or professional services related to REALbasic. REALbasic customers who join the REALbasic Developer Program can influence product direction through prioritized bug fixes and expedited technical response. Membership in the REALbasic Developer Program is provided as a courtesy to all customers who purchase fee-based technical support for REALbasic (starting at $300).

08/20, 1:05pm

Canon debuts 6.3MP EOS Digital Rebel camera

Canon today introduced its new EOS Digital Rebel, a 6.3 megapixel digital SLR featuring a high-grade titanium gray metallic finish. It will be offered in two kit configurations: with or without the EF 18-55mm f/3.5 - 5.6 zoom lens. The $1000 zoom lens kit includes a battery pack and charger, plus software, manuals, interface cables, and a neckstrap, while the body-only kit with the same accessories will be $900. It is expected to ship in mid-September.

08/20, 11:50am

BW: Apple waits for iMac, PB G5 chip

By delaying the "lava-hot" G5's use in iMacs and laptops, Apple is "wisely awaiting the improvements that will make a good thing even better," Buisness Week reporter Alex Salkever says. Mr. Salkever suggests that while Apple could implement slower versions of the G5 in its PowerBooks, there would be little noticeable speed increase. "Most likely, Apple will wait until sometime next year, when IBM comes out with a more efficient version of the G5 ... that way [Apple] won't repeat the mistake of disappointing the faithful, as [it] did with its premature release of the flagship OS X operating system." [see full interview at BusinessWeek Online]

08/20, 11:20am

Apple launches iPod-a-Day promotion

Apple today launched its iPod-a-Day promotion: "iPod-a-Day Giveaway. We are giving away a 10GB iPod every day between August 20 and September 20, 2003. Create a new iTunes Music Store account during this time, and you will automatically be entered into our daily drawing. Once you create an account, your name stays in the drawing until September 20, so the earlier you sign up, the more chances you have to win."

08/20, 9:00am

Intuit ships Quicken 2004 for the Mac

Intuit today announced the availability of Quicken 2004 for Mac, adding features to more easily monitor an entire portfolio, integration with Apple's iCal, and enhancements to the Quicken Bill Pay service, as well as an Emergency Records Organizer to track essential records in one central location. The popular personal financial information management application runs on Mac OS 9/X and will be available for $70 with a $20 rebate for previous Quicken users (and an additional $10 instant online rebate).

08/20, 8:45am

Opera 6.03 offers compatibility with Panther

Opera today released Opera 6.03 with support for the upcoming release of Panther, Mac OS 10.3: "The release of Opera 6.03 for Mac allows for continued use on Panther while development continues on Opera 7 for Mac to be released later this year." Additional changes include bug fixes, performance improvements, better security, kiosk mode, and the removal of the start-up dialog for unregistered browsers." It is is available in Czech, English, French, German, Italian and Norwegian. A $40 license fee offers a free upgrade to Opera 7, access to personal support via e-mail and 6 months of OperaMail Premium for free.

08/20, 8:40am

Adobe posts Photoshop G5 Processor Plug-in

Adobe has posted its Photoshop 7.0.1 G5 Processor Plug-in update for Mac OS X, noting that the plug-in update is designed to optimize Adobe Photoshop 7.0.1 for use with the Apple's Power Macintosh G5. It modifies many Photoshop operations to fully utilize the G5 processor capabilities and replaces the Adobe Color Engine component (ACECarbonLib) with a new version that is designed for the G5 processor.

08/20, 1:50am

MadsonLine reduces prices on Neoprene Savers

MadsonLine today reduced prices on its simple and lightweight Neoprene Savers carrying cases: "Designed for people who just want to 'pick up and go' without carrying pockets full of cables and accessories. The handles are a single piece of tough nylon webbing... The 4mm neoprene provides protection from light impacts, scratches and scrapes and features dual felt-lined zippers." They are available for the "clearance" price of $40 for the 12" iBook, 12" PowerBook and 15" PowerBook models. The 17" PowerBook Saver has been reduced to $50.

08/20, 1:40am

Apps: AppComposer, File Stitcher, iListen...

DigiSlice has released AppComposer 3.0.1, a free update to the integrated assembly environment for building applications from reusable Java components. The new build includesbug fixes and a few new features. In addition to the free version, an Enterprise Suite ($600) includes features for importing and creating EJB's and WebServices. [13.2MB]
Pariahware's File Stitcher 1.1, a Mac OS X utility that gives users an easy way to merge filestogether: "Simply drag and drop files onto the File Stitcher icon and click the button in the main window. A 30-day demo of the $5 shareware is available. [805KB]iListen 1.6.2 ($100) is a maintenance update to MacSpeech's speech recognition software, adding support for the Telex M 560 USB Digital Desktop Microphone--the first USB digital microphone to enable speech recognition without a headset. It improves support for Olympus Digital Voice Recorders by improving Transcription and offers improved correction.PasswordMenu 1.1 allows you to store all your passwords securely in the menu bar: "Just select any item from the list, enter the master password, and the password is copied to your clipboard." [1.3MB]Aqua Screensaver 2.0 for Mac OS X adds increased image resolutions (up to 1440x1080 for Powerbook 17" and iMac 17" users), now uses minimal compression to ensure better image quality and adds several variations of previously included images. [8.4MB]
The $10 StrangeWorld is an application for creating images from fractal algorithms on Mac OS X. It has support for third party plugins, render to disk (requires registration), support for up to 600 dpi images, bitmap image support, and full screen display. [402KB]RedGreen ($10) can be used to create 3D images which can be viewed with red-green or red-blue 3D glasses. Users take two photos from the view of the left eye and the right eye and it will calculate a 3D image that can be viewed with the 3D glasses. [Classic, OSX]